Ashley Nicole Cruz

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE

Your practice is your way to reconnect directly with the intimacy that is life. It is a whole body prayer, a celebration of that which beats the heart and moves the breath. My dynamic and inspiring teachers have taught me to live with compassion for my students and to have a sincere regard for their healing. As a catalyst for transformation they have encouraged my own self–empowerment and self–awareness, helping me to love and thrive through life’s many challenges. As a result my attention is focused on interweaving prana with physical alignment, mental wellness and an energetic flow to support a full and complete living sadhana, spiritual practice; within myself and within my students, on and off the mat. I teach and learn based on intelligent intuitive sequencing and applied spiritual wisdom.

My intention in teaching is to hold space for others’ awakening and healing. On a path lit by mentors in sacred wisdom traditions and a community of radically awakening spirit, I bow to my teachers in all forms.

QUALIFICATIONS

I began practicing yoga in 2006. In 2008 I began studying the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and other important yoga texts. In 2011 I began sharing what I've learned with others via public yoga classes, Ayurvedic Consultations and personal/private yoga classes.

In 2005 I began my yoga practice and in 2011 I entered into the ashram of 7 Centers Yoga Arts School in Sedona, AZ for a classically trained, 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training. It was here where I gained background in Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Kriya Yoga and the Shatkarmas (yogic cleanses) through the lineage of Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Bihar School of Yoga. It was also here where I learned the basics of Ayurveda for supporting the yogic lifestyle.

Since 2011, I have gone on to study with Sradhasagra Ruth Hartung and Rama Jyoti Vernon (Founder of Yoga Journal) in applying the Yoga Sutras according to Patanjali, as well as the importance of opening and balancing out the Chakras of the body during a 10-Day Chakra Intensive Course and how to resolve conflict peacefully via a 10-Day Conflict Resolution Course led by Rama Jyoti Vernon.

In 2013 I completed a 300-hour Yoga Therapy Course at 7 Centers Yoga Arts School, which deepened my therapeutic approach to yoga. In 2013 I registered with Yoga Alliance as a 500 Yoga Teacher

In 2013 I took an Anatomy and Physiology course in order to better understand and attempt to reconcile the experiential, sometimes esoteric knowledge of yoga with the science of anatomy, recognizing that both disciplines have important insights to offer the other. I completed the course with a grade of 104.17 (A+).

On average, I earn at least 250 hours of continued yoga education every single year in the form of multiple month long sadhana's, 10-day vipassanas, yoga/ayurveda/aromatherapy workshops, yoga teacher trainings, college courses, yoga text studies and yoga festival participation.

Personally created the wave of a class through cycles of effective and creative sequences (vinyasas) linked together through the breath. Every class is well-rounded : following the mandala of the body and asanas - to create whole body transformation of strength and fluidity, circulation and centering. Ashley’s empathic style and depth of experience, along with a relaxed and grounded presence, allow for deeper, more intuitive exploration of the yoga asanas (yoga postures).

Customizes meditation and yoga therapy sessions according to students' personal profile, and their physical and psychological needs.

Able to successfully and organically create yoga flows on the fly based on the classes mixed experience levels.

Promotes balance of the body, mind and breath through effective sequencing, teaching, and demonstrations.

Naturally able to ensure proper use of props including chairs, blocks and straps while still leaving the student feeling powered.

Demonstrates techniques and methods of self-assists to students; informing them of corrective measures or alternative options necessary to improve their alignment (energetically and physically).

Maintains positive relationships with students to encourage continued class attendance.

Freely provides health and wellness information to students.

Owns and successfully operates a yoga studio in Cusco, Peru.

Manages 8 yoga teachers for YogaWasi - Ashley's Yoga Studio

REFERENCESAny of my previous employers & students would be happy to provide you with references. Please feel free to contact me for their most current email addresses. In the mean time, please feel free to review my students testimonials page.

OTHER EDUCATION

The University of Tennessee Knoxville, TNBachelor of Arts, History * GPA: 3.36 May 2005Masters of Arts, English (Literature) May 2009

Maintains an active Arizona Real Estate LicenseMaintains an active Arizona Life and Health Insurance LicenseMaintains an active Series 6 and Series 63 License Military experience as a Texas Army National Guard Journalist and Photographer (2001 - 2003)

Blessed Yoga is Social!

What Students of Blessed Yoga Have to Say:

﻿﻿❤ ~ Ana Valinho, Student in Cusco, Peru 2015

"From Aldea Yanapay (great school of love to children), to the incredible homely hostel la boheme, to the food at mercado san blas and at greenpoint... My 6 weeks in Cusco/Qosqo/centre/gravitational centre were all truly well balanced out by Ashley ● I have been doing yoga for five years in London, Lisbon and NYC and I was wonderfully surprised by the teacher Ashley at the Yoga Room in Cusco, Peru. From her words, to the sense of opportunity, helping, the pace, the getting everyone's names and brief "why am I here", taste for music and simply those oils... vinyasa gained a new look for me. ● You made me feel so balanced out, just when I needed that push. May your excellent work continue and your knowledge be taken further."​~ Yours, ana maria (portugal) ~ Ana Valinho, Student in Cusco, Peru 2015